The 43 year old Austrian Baumgartner was carried high up in the sky by a pressurised capsule attached to a helium balloon. Wearing a specially designed suit, he exited the capsule at an altitude of 21’818 meters (71'581 feet) and achieved a jump during which he reached the staggering record speed of587 km per hour.

The jump took place on 15 March 2012 in Roswell, New Mexico, USA, a place steeped in the history of high altitude balloon launches. It was a part of a planned series of three jumps designed to break three FAI World Records: - Exit Altitude- Vertical Distance of Freefall (without drogue or stabilization device) - Maximum Vertical Speed (without drogue or stabilization device)